WJC: No Shame in Silver for Russia

The gold medal match between Canada and Russia at the 2005 World Junior Championships was the most underwhelming face-off between the two rivals since the introduction of the medal round format. Although at first surprising, the 6-1 beating was hardly shocking when looking at team Canada's instant chemistry as well as the respective ages of the two rosters.

Canada boasted the tournament's oldest team with only two members eligible for next year's tournament (Sidney Crosby and Cam Barker), while Russia came to North Dakota with the youngest roster in the event with a whopping 10 players set to return for the 2006 tournament in Vancouver.

Russia's disappointing play in the final, however, could not be solely attributed to its age. Factors such as strategy, lack of chemistry and shaky goaltending contributed to its eventual demise and actually made the silver reward strangely satisfying. While the Russians were quick to rub it in to the Americans after destroying Canada's Southern neighbours in the semi-finals by the score of 7-2, their gold medal-final appearance was largely in thanks to the meltdown of the American team late in the round robin. By losing back-to-back matches to Belarus and the Czech Republic, the United States handed Russia the top seed in Pool B, thus saving Russia from an otherwise inevitable matchup against Canada in its semi.

OUTMUSCLED

The blueline was a recurring problem for Russia throughout the tournament. Although head coach Sergei Gersonsky tried to ensure that his defense would match up with the opposition size-wise by cutting the smallish, yet very skilled, Andrei Pervyshin, Russia was still unable to match the dominance of Dion Phaneuf and Shea Weber.

Surprisingly, two of the club's better physical rearguards Dmitri Megalinsky and Anton Belov were severely underutilized throughout the tournament in favour of the smaller likes of Grigori Misharin and Grigori Panin.

The finger could also be pointed at Gersonsky's peculiar coaching decisions early in the final where the Russians payed for a relaxed approach, especially the head-scratcher of a five-on-three powerplay that showed little urgency and one measly shot on goal.

The lack of aggressiveness defensively was apparent even before the final, especially in the semi-final against the United States when the Russian defense applied little pressure in a key penalty kill situation that resulted in Patrick O'Sullivan's game-tying goal.

HIGH HOPES FOR VANCOUVER

Top prospect Evgeny Malkin is the only real question mark among the aforementioned 10 to return to the tournament in 2006. Assuming that the NHL lockout will be no more at that time, Malkin is expected to skate with the Pittsburgh Penguins next winter.

If Malkin dons the Penguins jersey then expect Alexander Radulov to be the go-to player for Russia in Vancouver along with the cocky Sergei Shirokov.

The 18-year old Radulov was a disappointment in North Dakota although probably not due to a lack of trying. He developed good chemistry with linemates Yunkov and Voloshenko in prior tournaments but neither of his two comrades looked seasoned enough to play on the top three lines. Denis Parshin's struggles on Malkin's line resulted in his demotion to the fourth line and Radulov's promotion in his place.

The marriage of Malkin and Radulov the second line was bumpy. Neither clicked even though on paper their union made sense. Malkin, as the crafty playmaker, would set up Radulov, the pure finisher. Malkin, a budding superstar, still found a way to amass 10 points in the tournament but Radulov was not a standout.

With Yunkov and Voloshenko a year older next year, expect for the three to reunite. However in order for this line to wreak havoc as they did in the past, the slow-footed Voloshenko will have to considerably improve his quickness. His shot and stickhandling skills are otherwise top notch.

The underachieving Anton Khudobin will return to play goal and expectations will be high. Optimists will point to Andrei Medvedev's embarrassing outing in the 2002 World Junior final and his much more solid return in 2003. The older, more experienced Khudobin will have to show a greater control of his nerves.

BETTER BLUELINE

Emelin and Megalinsky will be back next year - both physically tested rearguards - to lead what will be a much more reliable all-around blueline.

Among the candidates to join them will be Ottawa Senators' draft pick Kirill Lyamin, a sturdy anchor who plays a style reminiscent of Anton Volchenkov, Andrei Zubarev, the most physical Russian defender eligible for this year's draft, and Andrei Plekhanov, a rangy player with a good frame and all-around upside. An interesting candidate could also be Vitaly Anikeenko, whose 6-foot-4 frame would be beneficial to Russia's chances, but his approach is hardly intimidating at this time.

FOUR TEAM SHOW

Expect four teams to battle it out for the gold medal in 2006 as Canada, Finland, Russia and the United States will all ice strong rosters.

The Finns may bring along the most intriguing group, with their top line (Lauri Korpikoski, Petteri Nokelainen and Lauri Tukonen), two blue-chip rearguards (Teemu Laakso, Risto Korhonen) and stud goalie (Tuukka Rask) all projected to return.

The United States will have an older Phil Kessel in control, likely joined by fellow 2006 draft-eligible phenom Peter Mueller. New team members are likely to be projected number two draft pick Jack Johnson as well as the three-way draft-eligible forward punch of Bobby Ryan, Jack Skille and Ryan Stoa.

For Canada, welcome additions will be Gilbert Brule, David Bolland, Benoit Pouliot, Guillaume Latendresse, Alexandre Picard and Mike Green. Aside from a lack of experience, Devan Dubnyk, David Shantz, Carey Price or Jean-Philippe Levasseur would be worthy successors to Jeff Glass between the pipes.